ANDOVER, Mass. (Aug. 29, 2002) - Xu Ke, an erhuist of international acclaim, will perform a Silk Road concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, in Cochran Chapel at Phillips Academy. Xu will present several solo pieces on this traditional two-string Chinese instrument and will play a selection of pieces accompanied by Edward Arron, cello; Li Wang, piano; and Liqun Li on the yang-qin, a Chinese dulcimer.

The concert, "Music of the Silk Road," is funded by an Abbot Association grant and sponsored by the Phillips Academy music and Chinese departments and Andover Chinese Cultural Outreach, a community service organization. The event is open to the public, and admission is free.

The two-string erhu is the most popular and typical of the traditional Chinese string instruments and is highly versatile. It is the main melody carrying instrument in the Chinese orchestra, capable of both solo and accompanying parts, and can also be used in an ensemble. Xu redesigned the erhu used in this concert with an expanded range of tones. His innovative playing technique has led to enrichment and diversification of the erhu’s repertoire.

Xu has performed internationally throughout Asia and Europe and with Yo Yo Ma in the Silk Road Project in 2000 at the Tanglewood Music Center. In 2001, he joined with Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble for an Asian tour that included the Hong Kong Arts Festival, Beijing, Shanghai and Taipei. He also directed the Silk Road Music Concert in the 17th Tokyo Summer Festival in Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. This year he had a recital in Jordan Hall and performed with Ma on National Public Radio.

For more information, contact the Phillips Academy music department at 978-749-4995.